title: Graphene-based materials biocompatibility: a review.
abstract: Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have broad potential applications in biomedical engineering and biotechnology. However, existing studies regarding biological effects of GBMs often present contradictory or inconclusive results. This work presents a review of published data in order to provide a critical overview of the state of the art. Firstly, the distinct physical-chemical nature of the GBMs available is clarified, as well as the production methods involved. The review then discusses the available in vitro (with bacterial and mammalian cells) and in vivo studies concerning evaluation of GBMs biocompatibility, as well as existing hemocompatibility studies. The biocompatibility issues concerning composite materials that incorporate GBMs are addressed in a separate section, since encapsulation in a polymer matrix modifies biological interactions. The most pertinent questions that should be addressed in future works are also emphasized.
authors.affiliation: LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Artur M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: INEB - Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Engenharia, Departamento de Engenharia Metalúrgica e Materiais, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Inês C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: LEPAE, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: fdmagalh@fe.up.pt.
authors.forename: Fernão D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Magalhães
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006108:Graphite
keywords: Biomaterials; Composites; Graphene oxide (GO); Hemocompatibility; In vitro; In vivo